Bharat Tex 2025, held in New Delhi from February 14 to 17, 2025, emerged as one of the largest textile exhibitions in the world, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global textile leader. The event set the stage for significant industry advancements, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing an ambitious target to triple India’s textile exports—from ₹3 lakh crore to ₹9 lakh crore by 2030.
A Grand Platform for India’s Textile Industry
Bharat Tex 2025 is the second edition of this prestigious annual exhibition, organized by twelve export promotion councils and backed by the Ministry of Textiles. Spanning an impressive 2.2 million square feet, the event showcased India’s complete textile value chain, from raw materials to finished products. With over 5,000 exhibitors, it provided a massive platform for manufacturers, artisans, and entrepreneurs to engage with global markets.
Global Participation and Market Expansion
Bharat Tex 2025 attracted over 6,000 international buyers from 110+ countries, including major textile markets like Japan, the UAE, and the USA. The participation of renowned global brands and retail chains reinforced India’s position as a dominant player in the global textile industry.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability was a key theme at Bharat Tex 2025, with a strong emphasis on organic fabrics, energy-efficient production, and circular economy initiatives. Several European Union (EU)-funded projects were unveiled, focusing on:
- Sustainable fabric innovation
- Energy-efficient textile production
- Empowering women in the textile workforce
These initiatives align with the EU-India Circular Economy Initiative and India’s Sustainable Bharat Mission for Textiles, ensuring the sector moves towards environmentally responsible growth.
Technology & Digital Innovation in Textiles
Bharat Tex 2025 highlighted the integration of technology into textile manufacturing, with discussions on AI-driven production, smart fabrics, and automation. A dedicated mobile application allowed participants to network, explore innovations, and track industry developments, enhancing engagement for exhibitors, buyers, and investors.
Conferences & Knowledge Sharing
The event featured 70+ conferences, roundtables, and masterclasses covering:
- Global trade shifts in textiles
- Technical textiles and smart fabrics
- AI and automation in textile manufacturing
- Sustainable and circular economy practices
With key policymakers and industry experts in attendance, the sessions fostered international collaboration and strategic partnerships for India’s textile growth.
EU-India Textile Partnership: A Step Towards Inclusive Growth
A significant highlight was the launch of seven new EU-India textile projects, aimed at promoting sustainability, resource efficiency, and economic empowerment in the sector.
Key Features of the EU-India Textile Partnership
Funding & Objective
- The European Union allocated €9.5 million (₹85.5 crore) for the projects.
- Focus areas: Sustainability, women’s empowerment, and resource efficiency.
Implementation & Beneficiaries
- The projects will be executed in nine Indian states, including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Haryana.
- Expected impact:
🔹 35,000 direct beneficiaries, including 15,000 MSMEs, 5,000 artisans, and 15,000 farmer-producers.
🔹 Empowerment of 2 lakh (200,000) women over the next 3–5 years.
Alignment with Government Initiatives
- Supports India’s Sustainable Bharat Mission for Textiles.
- Complements the EU-India Circular Economy Initiative and is executed by GIZ in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Employment & Challenges in India’s Textile Industry
The textile sector is a pillar of India’s economy, employing 45 million people, with 60% being women. However, it faces significant challenges, including:
- High carbon emissions and energy consumption
- Excessive water usage in textile production
- Low recycling rates and textile waste management issues
The Road Ahead
- To achieve its ambitious textile export target, India must:
- Strengthen sustainable production practices
- Invest in skill development and technology adoption
- Expand global partnerships for market access
Bharat Tex 2025 demonstrated that India is not just a manufacturing hub but an innovation-driven leader in the textile industry. With continued policy support, international collaborations, and a focus on sustainability, India’s textile sector is well-positioned for transformative growth.